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Maternity guide for engineers and geoscientists released

OTTAWA—A new planning resource guide has been jointly published by Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada that outlines best practices for employees and employers when it comes to managing maternity or parental leave in the engineering and geoscience professions.

According to a release, the guide, Managing Transitions: Before, During and After Leave, provides checklists and outlines steps that individuals, supervisors and companies can take in the process of taking a leave of absence.

The Women in APEGA (the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Alberta) group created the foundational document upon which the national guide is based.

"This guide will be a tremendous resource for new parents and for their employers," said Kim Allen, FEC, P.Eng., the chief executive officer of Engineers Canada in a statement.

"The guide and its recommendations will go a long way to creating welcoming workplaces in the engineering and geoscience professions with good leave practices that will attract talented employees."

Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada state improving career transitions and managing leaves of absence is critical for the retention of skilled talent and will increase workplace diversity. Women remain underrepresented in these professions.

"Experience and research has shown that without forethought, rejoining an organization can be frustrating, especially when expectations are not managed," said Oliver Bonham, P.Geo, FGC, the chief executive officer of Geoscientists Canada. "The solution is to actively manage the transition and this guide outlines the steps to do so, ensuring that employees and employers know what to expect; that leaves of absence do not disrupt career progression or productivity; and that business continuity remains."